Lieutenant Colonel Paul Sinor, far right, the military technical advisor on the set of “The Messenger,” will be here in Sedona to host the screenings and conduct the Q&A discussions following the films. The former chief of the Army’s Killed in Action branch was involved in pre-production script advising and was on set every day of the film shoot working with Foster and Harrelson.

Featuring tour-de-force performances from Foster, Harrelson and Morton, and a brilliant directorial debut by Oren Moverman, “The Messenger” brings us into the inner lives of these outwardly steely heroes to reveal their fragility with compassion and dignity.

According to director Moverman, his friend, producing partner and screenwriter Alessandro Camon came up with the idea for “The Messenger” a few years ago.

“He suggested writing a script about Casualty Notification Officers because no one was looking at the war from that angle at the time. No one was shining a light on the home front from the perspective of the messengers who bring the consequences of war to the families, to the people who pay a direct, intimate and everlasting price for the decision to go to war,” said Moverman. “It's an impossible, horrible job, and yet it's as real as it gets.”

Moverman insists that the film is not about casualties of war, really. It's about the people left behind to deal with life after casualties of war have gone.

“ ‘The Messenger’ may say a thing or two about war, but I think it ultimately deals with grief and the desire to live, to let life into the darkness, even to laugh,” said Moverman. “It definitely makes the point that there are people who have to deal with war in a way that is not strategic or political, but personal.”

When asked about his hopes for the film, Moverman says, “We obviously want people to see it, and listen to it, and be moved by it. This is a film that a team of people poured their hearts and souls into, and we all feel the film has something to say and a lot of love and healing to offer.”

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Sinor, the military technical advisor on the set of “The Messenger,” will be here in Sedona to host the screenings and conduct the Q&A discussions following the films. With more than 30 years military experience, the former chief of the Army’s Killed in Action branch was involved in pre-production script advising and was on set every day of the film shoot working with Foster and Harrelson.

The title sponsors for the event are Awe Dynamics and A Spa For You. The series is also made possible by grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Sedona.

“The Messenger” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, November 10, at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 or $8 for Film Sedona members and will be available starting at 3 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only are accepted. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 1785 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite 2B, or by calling 928-282-1177.

For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.

Article courtesy of Patrick Schweiss.

Posted October 31, 2009.